About
the Book:
Fine On Acting is a "class
in a book" that provides a solid foundation in the useful and
exciting acting technique taught at the renowned Howard Fine Acting
Studio, located in the heart of Hollywood and its sister-Studio in
Melbourne, Australia. In this revised edition, respected and world-renowned acting coach Howard Fine
expands on his technique to meet the needs of today's working actor.
For over 30 years, Howard Fine has built an unshakable
reputation as one of the most gifted acting teachers in the business.
His career is rooted in New York, primarily at the American Music and
Dramatic Academy, and his philosophy reflects that of his mentor and
close colleague of the legendary actor and acting teacher Uta
Hagen. They shared many professional courtesies, including having
a close and complimentary understanding of technique.
His passion for coaching the best and brightest professional
actors and actresses led in 1985 to his relocating to Hollywood,
where his prominent reputation emerged. Howard Fine began his
career in Los Angeles by privately coaching students in his living
room, but in 1988 had to expand to accommodate his growing classes.
He became an instant and enduring sensation, a "first call"
for actors and their representatives, who know his direction can
define careers. Howard Fine has personally coached hundreds of
Hollywood's most notable, recognizable and decorated actors,
including Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Austin Butler, Bradley Cooper, Chris
Pine, Justin Timberlake, Lindsay Lohan, Salma Hayek, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Simon Baker,
Rosanna Arquette, Amanda Bynes, Gerard Butler, Jennifer Connelly,
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Michelle Williams, Val Kilmer,
Sela Ward, Michael Chiklis, Jason Priestley, Kerry Washington, Amy
Smart, Jared Leto, Wilmer Valderrama, Brooke Shields, Mark Harmon,
Daryl Hannah, Rick Fox, Estella Warren, Christopher Meloni, Enrique
Murciano, Garry Shandling, Alexa Vega, Heather Locklear, Geri
Halliwell, Carla Gugino, James Belushi, Diana Ross, Jon Bon Jovi, and
Josh Groban.
Heralded as "Best Acting Teacher in LA" by Back Stage
magazine (in a strictly one-time-only award), Hollywood's most sought
after acting teacher Howard Fine reveals the winning technique
that has garnered his students international acclaim and the
industry's highest honours in his revised book Fine On Acting.
As a lover of the craft, the art, and ultimately the powerful
magic of acting, Howard Fine is one of the few elite acting
experts who has devoted his primary career to perfecting the teaching
and coaching of professional actors. His outstanding reputation is
the product of his remarkable expertise uniquely coupled with his
extraordinary gift to inspire. He all but explodes the myth of the
screaming, bitter acting teacher that potential students fear.
Fine On Acting is a must-read for the aspiring and seasoned
actor alike. In an ever-changing industry landscape, Fine's
groundbreaking approach continues to make the craft accessible by
covering the essentials: Common Mistakes, Auditions & Self-Tapes,
Rehearsal Exercises, Script Analysis, Stage Acting vs. On-Camera
Acting, and much more. In this book, you will find valuable advice
for overcoming nerves, memorizing lines, troubleshooting challenging
situations in rehearsal and role preparation, and how to become what
Fine calls the "Total Actor". Fine uses his own compelling
personal and family history to illustrate the techniques of
Personalization and Emotional Recall, exemplifying the core of his
training: the authentic use of your self. Fine also offers valuable
advice for troubleshooting challenging situations, such as playing
opposite a bad actor, nerves, memorizing lines, working with a bad
director, and being emotionally blocked.
What people say:
"You've
purchased this book because you either aspire to be an actor or want
to be a better one. Either way you've made a wonderful decision.
Howard Fine is
a great teacher. His philosophy and approach to the craft of acting
are the most helpful, encouraging and practically applicable I've
ever encountered." —
Michael
Chiklis, Emmy
Award-winning actor (The Shield, Fantastic Four)
"When
I first met Howard he told me his job was to make the actor a
self-sufficient artist. His great skill is the joy he takes in
watching you discover, with the tools he provides, the essence of a
character. He loves actors, he loves the process, and he is all about
the work." — Chris
Pine,
actor
(Star
Trek)
"Howard Fine
is an extremely skilled teacher. He has the ability to help actors
create beyond their own experience in a way that is both exciting and
compelling. Personally, I feel he is one of the greatest acting
teachers working today." — Martin
Campbell,
director
(Casino
Royale)
"Within
my 30 years of casting, I have viewed and worked with many actors.
Howard Fine's technique is a contributing factor to those actors who
consistently stand out." — Victoria
Burrows,
casting
director
(Lord
of the Rings)
"Often
teachers want to own an actor's process. Howard shines a light on
yours so that you can fly freely on your own." —
Carla Gugino,
actor
(The
Watchman)
"Howard Fine has
won respect within the film industry as an innovative teacher of
acting skills ... With the assistance of co-author Chris Freeman,
Howard Fine has
distilled his insights and innovations as one of Hollywood's most
successful acting coaches and teachers in Fine on
Acting: A
Vision of the Craft ...
Fine On Acting is
an essential manual for anyone aspiring to an acting career from
local community theatre to big budget Hollywood extravaganzas,
television, Broadway and Off-Broadway productions." —
Midwest Book Review
About the Author:
Howard Fine is a renowned
American acting teacher and the protege of the legendary Uta
Hagen. The founder and artistic director of the Howard Fine
Acting Studio, with permanent bases in Hollywood and Melbourne,
Australia, he is recognized as one of the most sought-after coaches
and well-known acting teachers alive today.